The Official Blog of Elihu Genmyo Smith

“Caught in self-centered dream, only suffering; holding to self-centered thoughts exactly the dream.” These practice principles enable us to live the life we are, to chew-up the life we are. In the midst of arising-passing circumstances and conditions, not holding to attachment is fundamental life practice, Zen practice. To be at peace and free is not being caught by the ... Read More »

The following are some preliminary musings and questions on economic and power disparities from a Buddhist practice perspective: We seem to live in a world of differences – of cold and hot, wet and dry, strong and weak, smart and dull, rich and poor, and the many other manifestations of the ongoing impermanence of conditions arising and passing that is ... Read More »

Because this is exactly who we are, it is simple and straightforward. Because it is simple and straightforward, nothing extra is needed. Yet it seems easy to “slip off” into what I will call our favorite channels–our favorite habits. Sitting, we often find our self tuning into favorite channels of ignorance, favorite channels of habits. We do this during much ... Read More »

No need to do zazen. No need to practice. Therefore, we must do zazen, must practice. Do you see this? Do you see this no-need? Unfortunately, much of the time many of us live in a world of needing and not needing. I need this, I don’t need that. And we believe this viscerally as the truth of who we ... Read More »

Often, we think my life is about me, act as if my life is about me. So, we get into all sorts of troubles. Sometimes these troubles are an impetus to practice, to sit. And then, even in the midst of this we sneak in “my” to practice – sneak in that practice is about me. It is not quite ... Read More »

Part 1 All of us are engaged in ongoing practice! Unfortunately, most of the time our ongoing practice is self-centeredness, saying I, me and my. Habits, thoughts, beliefs and behaviors are the basis of this ongoing self-centered practice. Through “I think…”, “I feel…, “my idea.., “my…” we see, hear and act. It is this ongoing self-centeredness practice that keeps us ... Read More »

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About Elihu Genmyo Smith

Elihu Genmyo Smith began his Zen training in 1974 at the Zen Studies Society in New York with Soen Nakagawa Roshi and Eido Shimano Roshi. He continued his training at Zen Center of Los Angeles, where he was ordained a Buddhist priest by Hakuyu Maezumi Roshi in 1979. After completing formal koan study with Maezumi Roshi, in 1984 he continued his training with Charlotte Joko Beck at Zen Center of San Diego. Genmyo received Dharma transmission (shiho) and authorization to teach from Joko in 1992. He is a co-founder of the Ordinary Mind Zen School and currently lives in Champaign, Illinois where he is resident teacher of the Prairie Zen Center.

About Sweeping Zen

Established in 2009 as a grassroots initiative, Sweeping Zen is a digital archive of information on Zen Buddhism. Featuring in-depth interviews, an extensive database of biographies, news, articles, podcasts, teacher blogs, events, directories and more, this site is dedicated to offering the public a range of views in the sphere of Zen Buddhist thought. We are also endeavoring to continue creating lineage charts for all Western Zen lines, doing our own small part in advancing historical documentation on this fabulous import of an ancient tradition. Come on in with a tea or coffee. You're always bound to find something new.

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